National Safeguarding Week
National Safeguarding Week is annual event that is co-ordinated by the five Regional Safeguarding Boards throughout Wales. It is a dedicated time to raise awareness of important safeguarding issues, learn best practice and share information amongst the Social Care workforce and partners.
Alongside this, Gwent Safeguarding Board deliver Local Safeguarding Network Practitioner Forums each May which raises awareness of emerging safeguarding themes/hot topics.
November 2026
National Safeguarding Week (NSW) will take place between 9th to the 13th November 2026 and the Gwent Safeguarding Board Local Safeguarding Networks (LSN) facilitated a range of events throughout the week with an overarching theme of ‘Preventing Harm Together: A Week of Safeguarding Insights.’ The week featured presentations from Owain Rowlands (DBS), Natasha James (Section 5), Zoe Lodrick, Sharron Wareham, Dr. Nicholas Marsh, Media Academy Wales, Our Voice, Our Journey and Doreen Bell.
This year, NSW will also have a LSN face to face event taking place at the Parkway Hotel, allowing practitioners the opportunity for networking. Presentations include Natasha James on the new Section 5 and Zoe Lodrick on Sexual Offending by Practitioners and Those in a Position of Trust.
November 2025
National Safeguarding Week (NSW) took place between 10th and 14th November and the Gwent Safeguarding Board Local Safeguarding Networks (LSN) facilitated a range of events throughout the week with an overarching theme of ‘Joining the Dots.’ The week featured presentations from Dr. Nina Maxwell, Wes Cunliffe, DI Simon Thomas, Martyn Smith, Dr. Nicholas March and Helen Kelsall.
In total, across all events it is estimated that almost 332 practitioners took part, something which we feel is a significant achievement and reflects the commitment and motivation of staff across all safeguarding partners in the Gwent region. On behalf of the Gwent Safeguarding Board we would like to say a huge thank you to all those who presented and participated in the events, and we look forward to continuing this success in future.